Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-04-20
MEMORIAL DAY.
Commander.in-Chi Fairchild's Or
der for Its Observance.

Commander-in-Chie Fairchild's Or
der for ITS Observance.
The following appropriate action has
been taken by Commander-inChief Fair
child:
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS GRAND AR
MY OF THE REPUBLIC. MADISON, Wis,
April Is, 1887, GENERAL ORDERS, No.
IL. Nineteen years ago the then Com
mander-in-Ch of the Grand Army of
the Republic, in General Orders, set
apart the 3O.h day of May and suggested
that it be consecrated to the memory of
the fallen soldiers of the Nation.
This being the first Memorial Day oc-
curing since his death, the Commander
n-Chief asks that the eloquent and APP
propriate words of General Orders No. l !,
1868, uttered by that llustrious soldier
and beloved comrade John A. Logan be
again taken as inspiration and guidance
for the Both day of May, 1887.
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE
REPUBLIC, w AsHINGTON, D. c., GENERAL
ORDERS, No. IL.
[. The 30th day of May, 1868 is des-
ignated for the purpose of strewing with
flowers or otherwise decorating the graves
of comrades who died in defense oi their
country during the late rebellion, and
whose bodies now lie in almost every
city, village and hamlet churchyard in
the land. In the observance MO form of
ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and
comrades will ia tneir own way arrange
such fitting services and testimonials of
respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our
regulations :ell us, for the purpose, among
other things, "of preserving and strength
ening those kind and fraternal feelings
which have bound together the soldiers,
sailors and marines who united to SUP
press the late rebellion What CAP aid
more to assure this result than cherishing
tenderly the memory OF our heroic dead,
who mace their breasts a barricade be-
tween our country and its foes? Their
soldier lives were the reveille OF freedom
to race iE chains, and their death the
tattoo of rebelliOus tyranny in arms.
We should guard their graves with sacred
vigilance. All that the consecrated
wealth and taste of the nation can add to
their adornment and security is but fit
ting tribute to the momory of her slain
defenders Let no wanton foot tread
rudely ON such hallowed grounds. Let
pleasant paths invite the coming aud 60
ipg of reverent visitors and fond mourn
ers. Let no vandalism of avarIce or neg
lect, no ravages of time testify to the pres
ent or to the coming generations that we
have forgotten as a people the cost of
free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands
slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn
trust ours shall keep it well as long as
the light and warmth OF life remain to us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed,
around their sacred remains and garland
the passionless mounds above them with
the choicest flowers of springtime; let US
in this solemn presence renew our pledges
to aid and assist those whom they have
left among US sacred charge upon ma
items gratitude the soldiers and the
sailor's widow and orphan.
ii. It's the purpose of the commander
in-chief to inaugurate this observance
with the hope that it will be kept up
from year to year while survivor of the
war remains 10 honor the memory Of his
departed comrades.
He earnestly desires the public press to
call attention to this order, and lend It's
friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of
comrades in all parts Of the country in
time for Simultaneous compliance there
with.
TIT Department commanders will use
every effort to make this order effective.
BY command of JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief
n. P. CHAPMAN, Adjutant-General.
By command OF LUCIUs FAIRCHILD,
Commander-in-Chief
E. B. GRAY, Acknowledgement.